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 Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2012 9:33 pm
So, they were interested in her because she was clever? Was that why they had called her here? It was as good a reason as any, she supposed. All friendships had to start somewhere. Assuming she wanted to make friends with them. Though she perhaps could not understand the true scope of the ramifications of her decision, she knew enough to understand that it was important. She also had a sneaking suspicion that it might be pretty final. It was a lot to think about.
"I certainly hope you don't go around stealing people!" she said to Last, though of course it was unlikely that they actually did. The others hadn't said anything about that, and they would have mentioned it if there were any such rumors.
"And I don't want to work for anyone," she added, wrinkling her nose. Where was the fun in answering to people? Didn't seem nice to her. Parents were one thing, but anyone else was another matter entirely. "But I think we could be great friends."
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Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2012 7:46 am
"Naw," says Last, in answer to her admonition, highly amused by her audacity in scolding a criminal twice her size. "Much better to have them as'd be loyal to a man. Ransom don't pay near enough to make up for the trouble it'd cause."
First laughs, in part at his brother, and in part at Olivia's wrinkled nose in regards to working for them. "Suits us! Even if we wanted you to, I'd bet we couldn't afford to pay you enough! You ain't no Druther, to be swayed by the gift of one of our old shirts and a loaf of bread!"
Last takes over, giving her a saucy little wink. "It's your friends we'd like to be, is all! Ain't going to ask none of you now but to tell us if you're ever in a bind, or if there's anything we can do for you."
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Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2012 5:35 pm
Well, that didn't sound so bad, and it was certainly true that she had no use for any of their old clothes, so it was just as well. Still, she cocked her head at the pair of them.
"Like what?" she wondered.Olivia could not really remember a time when she had needed to call on anyone for help. Usually, she managed just fine on her own. After all, she had good timing and a clever mind. It was difficult to imagine needing their help. Of course, she would be happy to be friends with them anyway. They were funny and clever and mischievous, and they seemed to like her real self, or what they knew of her so far at least.
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Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2012 5:09 am
"Ever wanted naught yer folk won't get ya?" Far be it for them to be without an answer, and it's First that starts off this time, with a gleam in his eye. No doubt it'd give them pleasure to tweak the noses of her parents by providing Olivia with toys and trinkets they didn't provide -- no matter the reason for that neglect.
"Ever wanted to learn naught yer folk won't teach ya?" Now last leans forward, giving her a saucy little wink. "Nobbles tend to be a bit silly about girl-childer, don't they?"
"Yeah, won't learn you brawlin', or haggling in market, or anything useful," Scoffs First, with clear disgust regarding this foolish bias of noble folk. Anyone who didn't believe that women were capable of doing everything a man could hadn't met women like their Rajani!
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Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2012 7:21 pm
Oh. She stared at her tea as she considered the possibilities. Suddenly, she had options. The Freds could help her with things that she would otherwise have to fumble through on her own, or even maybe be incapable of managing on her own. It was a dream come true for someone who cared as little for tradition as Olivia. Of course, she loved to have presents showered upon her, and it normally wouldn't make her think twice, but even adults who lived in the urchins' world surely did not usually do such things.
"But what about you?" Did they expect something in return? If they didn't, why were they doing this? Surely she wasn't that special. It baffled her. Nothing was free in the world. The ladies fawned because they thought they would get something. The urchins played with her because she was a novelty. The merchants acted nice to win favor with her father. Why were First and Last doing what they did?
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Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2012 12:52 am
"S'easy," Last says, leaning back in his chair again, tucking his hands behind his head. "Couple've reasons. One, you're clever. Clever people can either be lotsa help or lotsa trouble."
"Don't have to know how you'll help us, only it stands to reason that it's good to have clever people on your side just in case." This is from Last, nodding solemnly; he tops off her tea again with a wink.
"Two," continues Last, warming up to his subject matter now, "there ain't much you can do now, so we ain't gonna ask. But you won't always be a gel. S'good to have friends in high-up places."
"Most important, though," cuts in First, and his brother seems to expect the interruption, "you're the kind of clever that things happen to. You're bloody interesting, is what you are. Just knowing you's gonna be entertaining!" The pair of them grin in unison, apparently just as excited about the mischief they can make through and for her as any potential there might be to use her as a connection to the upper-class elite.
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Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2012 7:38 pm
The trouble they could get into together, indeed. Whatever it was that they saw in her, she was glad for it. It promised to make life interesting, and that was so much better than it being dull. Besides, they were still being honest with her, which was much better than the sugar-coated lip-service that the ladies paid her.
Livvy grinned at the pair of them. "I do believe you intend to corrupt me."
Somehow, the idea did not bother her in the slightest. Might have something to do with the fact that she was already blithely ignoring the social standards, associating with miscreants and playing in the street.
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Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2012 7:41 pm
Her announcement takes the pair by surprise once again, and leaves the two of them blinking at her for one frozen moment -- before both of them dissolve in sputtering, half-choked laughter hard enough that they grip their sides and hold onto the table to keep themselves upright. It's long moments before either of them can speak again; merely a glance at each other or at her sets them off, until they are slumped in their chairs, gulping quick breaths and watching her with merry eyes.
"That's one way to put it," First tells her, his voice a bit strangled by the urge to laugh again.
"But it's more like .. we're tutors, right? We're just educatin' you. Out of the goodness of our hearts." Last clasps his hands to where he thinks his heart must be, grinning at her across the table, half wondering what she will tell her parents and keepers.
"So it's a deal, then?" First cuts in, before she can speak again. "Friends?"
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Posted: Tue Dec 25, 2012 7:50 pm
While the twins were having their hysterics, Livy was sitting demurely in her chair, sipping her tea and nibbling on her cookies, looking for all the world like she had not induced their fits nor giving any indication that she was aware of them. Well, there may have been a certain twinkle in her eye, but one might miss it if one was not looking for it.
The girl had just opened her mouth to give Last a retort when First spoke again. She closed her mouth, sparing Last a final glance before replying to First. "It's a deal," she agreed. "Friends."
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Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2012 7:41 am
Last gives her a cheeky little wink across the table, as if he knows that he's just barely missed being given a stern talking to over his comments. Even First seems to realize it, for his eyes continue to glitter with good humor, and another laugh seems to be lurking at the corner of his mouth. He manages to fight it down, in lieu of sliding out of his chair and going down on one knee to one side of Olivia's chair -- which, after a moment's thought, he turns to face himself. "Then, little lady, we are at your service!"
Last is not to be outdone by his brother, and drops onto his knee to the other side of Olivia's chair, taking the chair by the legs in the same way and turning her to face him. "The brothers Grimm, your most honor'ble friends!"
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Posted: Wed Dec 26, 2012 5:33 pm
Although the girl seems surprised to have her chair manhandled thus, she is smiling when First makes his statement, and is outright grinning by the time Last is done with his. Livy does manage to contain her giggles long enough to look at each gravely and reply. "I thank you for your admirable service, gentlemen. It is sure to be a most wonderful friendship." She manages to hold her expression for perhaps five seconds before dissolving in a fit of giggles.
Oh, yes. She was so very glad that she had decided to accept the invitation of these odd men. This had the marks of a fateful encounter written all over it. She could hardly wait to see what fun they could get up to together.
The girl jumped off her her chair and danced a few steps away before spinning to face them in a whirl of skirts. Then, she curtsied to the pair of them. "Thank you for inviting me today. It has been great fun. But it is time for me to go, now. I hope I will see you again soon."
Then, she darted out the door and disappeared without waiting for a proper response. Less savory part of town or not, Livy knew she had nothing to fear. Whatever the cause, this was the right time to depart. She had a feeling that she would be meeting Faye in but a moment, and did she have a tale to tell her friend!
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